SANTO DOMINGO.- Following the damage suffered during the double earthquake that shook Venezuela on June 24 of this year and which has so far resulted in more than 6,000 deaths, the authorities of that country reported yesterday, August 5, the reopening of the first phase of the Simón Bolívar International Airport, located in Maiquetía, one of the areas most affected by the phenomenon.
Francisco Garcés, Minister of Transportation, announced via social media that this is a gradual reopening of the terminal.
“After weeks of intense work by our teams and with international support, the first phase of resuming operations at Maiquetía International Airport has been achieved,” he explained.
This gradual reopening of the country's largest and most important airport aims to progressively restore airport services under international safety standards, Prensa Latina reported.
Statement of July 31
Venezuela's Ministry of Transport had reported on August 31 the reactivation of cargo aviation operations at the "Simón Bolívar" International Airport in Maiquetía, as part of the effort undertaken by the National Government to guarantee the progressive resumption of services provided at the nation's main air terminal.
"We reaffirm our commitment to providing users with efficient and safe operations, in accordance with national and international regulations established in civil aviation," the statement said.
First flight
The first cargo resumption flight was carried out by a Uniworld Boeing 737-300F with 13,935 tons, coming from Panama.
Garcés considered this step of great importance for Venezuela's logistics activities, which adds to the tireless work carried out by the teams of the Ministry of Transport and its staff, together with the national government, "to guarantee the well-being of all Venezuelans.".
A double earthquake
Two powerful earthquakes of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck northern Venezuela on the afternoon of June 24 of this year, causing thousands of deaths, collapsed buildings, and significant damage to that South American nation.
